Motivational climate in physical education and sport and physical activity in leisure of students from Spain, Costa Rica and Mexico

The objective of present study was to determinate relationship between behavior of practice, level of physical activity on leisure and stages of change according to motivational climate of students on Secondary. Sample consisted of 2168 students randomly selected to participate in a longitudinal study of Costa Rica (423), Mexico (408) and Spain (1337), with 1052 boys, 1037 girls and 79 did not reflect sex, aged between 11 and 16 years (M = 12.49, SD = .81). We used a questionnaire to ask students about their sport and physical activity in leisure on stages of change and to measure achievement goals. Descriptive analyzes were conducted, inferential and confirmatory factor SPSS 17.0. Results showed that students are more active in Costa Rica, most of them standing in active stages of change but with a low level of practice. They were followed by Spaniards who dropped out more participation in leisure. Mexico was the country most inactive with the highest dropout index, and those who practice does with a low level of intensity and they are in inactive stages. It was concluded that in three countries the differences found on the motivational climate perception of students indicate that, in general, students need to change their physical activity characteristics of leisure time, their behavior, index of practice (it is advised moderate and vigorous activity) and stages of change. PE would be a optimal place to start changing these patterns.